Aiken edges out Fisher at Africa Open

Home favourite Thomas Aiken claimed the Africa Open title after beating Oliver Fisher in a play-off at East London Golf Club.

Aiken sank a 30-foot birdie on the first hole of the play-off to secure the trophy after completing a final round of 67 to move to 20-under for the tournament.

Fisher began the day with a bogey but rallied to move back under par with three birdies in his next five holes. The Englishman came within a centimetre of winning the tournament with a birdie chance at the last, but his 15-foot effort for birdie grazed the edge of the hole and meant he had to settle for a play-off. Fisher ended the day with a two-under 69.

Aiken prevailed to secure his third title on the European Tour and his first in front of a home crowd.

"I've been waiting for this for quite some time; I've won a couple of times overseas, but there is nothing like winning in front of a home crowd," Aiken told europeantour.com. "The South African fans have been unbelievable throughout my whole career so it's nice to finally get one for you guys."

"East London Golf Club, what a fantastic golf club. It shows that a course doesn't need to be long for it to play interestingly. I always love coming back here, and it's so great to finally get this trophy under my belt."

Aiken also had his wife on the bag for the first time, and admitted he was keen to keep her on it for the future.

"Thanks so much to my wife, who helped me on the bag for the first time - we might have to do it again!"

David Horsey finished joint third, one shot back, with second round leader John Hahn following a final visit of 65.